Senior Data Scientist

University of New South Wales; Sydney; On-site; AUD 119,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

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Job summary

University of New South Wales in Sydney seeks a Senior Data Scientist to leverage advanced data science and AI for improving student feedback analytics. You will focus on Thematic Analysis tools and ML models, driving insights for teaching and learning improvements.

The role collaborates with the Educational Data & Insights team and is anchored in the MyExperience reporting solution. Flexible work arrangements and strong development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, AI or related fields; PhD would be highly regarded.
• Advanced programming in Python and SQL with data science libraries.
• Experience developing, deploying and evaluating ML and GenAI models.
• Strong statistical analysis and justification of methods.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous experimentation and deep-dive analyses to extract insights from student feedback data.
• Lead development, evaluation and improvement of AI/ML tools and automations (Thematic Analysis + LLMs).
• Coach junior colleagues through reviews of methods, code and results.
• Keep abreast of Generative AI advances and apply them to university strategies.

Skills

Python

SQL

TensorFlow

PyTorch

scikit-learn

Pandas

NumPy

Power BI

Azure Databricks

Copilot Studio

Education

PhD preferred

Tools

Azure Databricks

Power BI

Power Platform

Job description

University of New South Wales – Sydney NSW

• Employment Type: Full Time (35 hours per week)
• Duration: Continuing
• Remuneration: Level 8 from $132k + 17% superannuation & leave loading
• Location: Kensington NSW

Why your role matters

The Senior Data Scientist holds a key role within the Educational Data & Insights team and is responsible for leveraging advanced data science and AI to ensure our university makes the most of student feedback to improve learning and teaching.

The Educational Data & Insights team at UNSW manages 2 major survey programs for the university. This includes the MyExperience course-level survey, as well as the Australia-wide and government-funded Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) program. These datasets combine quantitative and qualitative student responses and are paramount for UNSW to develop a greater understanding of its diverse students. The qualitative responses in particular represent an extremely rich dataset since they relate to learning and teaching: some of the most complex and multi-faceted experiences we undergo in our lives.

Working closely with our Manager – Educational Data & Insights, our Senior Analytics Engineer, our Research Data Scientist and our Educational Evaluation Specialist, this role is an incredible opportunity to develop and have a significant impact at one of Australia’s leading and most diverse universities. Focusing primarily on our myExperience Reporting Solution (one of the university’s most utilised data products) and leading the development of Thematic Analysis tools and Machine Learning models, this role delivers insights to highly engaged academics that are eager for rigorous, evidence-based recommendations.

Joining UNSW is your chance to work with leading data tools and technologies in an environment that offers flexible working arrangements and that invests in your development.

We are open to various skillsets and fields of study, with a focus on strong data science and programming skills. If you’re passionate about the role and bring transferable skills, we encourage you to apply.

This role primarily focuses on the development of Thematic Analysis tools and Machine Learning models (leveraging LLMs and transformers):

• Conduct rigorous experimentation, hypothesis testing, and deep dive exploratory analyses leveraging advanced statistics to enable our university to make the most of student feedback data and improve its student experience and education outcomes.
• Lead the development, evaluation and continuous improvement of high-impact Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning tools and automations (in particular Thematic Analysis Solutions leveraging LLMs and transformers).
• Coach junior colleagues to help lift the broader analytics capability of the team: reviewing their methodology, analysis, code and results through peer reviews.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in Generative AI and data science, identifying opportunities for their application to contribute to our broader university strategy.

About You

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (s.a. Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, AI, Computational Linguistics, etc.) or demonstrated relevant work experience. A PhD would be highly regarded. We are also highly interested in individuals who have worked at the crossing of programming/data science and Education, Psychology and Social Sciences or have direct teaching experience.
• Advanced Programming Skills (Python, SQL) including experience with Python data science libraries (e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, Pandas, NumPy).
• Demonstrated experience in the development, deployment, evaluation and continuous improvement of Machine Learning and GenAI models.
• Demonstrated advanced understanding of statistical analysis and machine learning with the ability to justify methods, not just run models.
• High attention to detail with the ability to assess and document data quality, as well as a track record of conducting data investigations and exploratory analyses.
• Ability to handle complexity and bring structure: confident in breaking down complex problems, developing strong data architecture, building solutions from scratch, and working with limited direction.
• Experience maintaining data pipelines, working with cloud-based analytics platforms such as Azure Databricks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high‑quality outcomes in a complex environment.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Experience with Power BI or similar business intelligence platforms.
• Experience with Power Platform automation, workflows and Copilot Studio agents.
• A genuine interest in understanding the specificities of teaching and learning evaluation and of the role of student feedback data.
• Knowledge of responsible AI practices, data governance and ethical use of data and AI technologies.

For further details on role responsibilities and skills & experience required, refer to the position description found under the position listing on Jobs@UNSW

Benefits and Culture

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working options.
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments.
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness).

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

Pre-Employment Checks

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.